Chicago State University - Teachers' Writing and Resource Center

ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL TEACHING (APT) TEST ASSISTANCE
TWRC offers workshops to help you prepare for the APT test. Flyers announcing the workshops are hung in the hallways in the Education Building 3 to 4 weeks before each test date. Stop in ED 308B to learn the location of the workshop when you come. Workshops are free for current CSU students; otherwise, they are $45.
We are also happy to go over your drafts of the essays required by this test. Call for an appointment at 773-995-2215.

We do not have a study guide for the APT test other than what is available on http://www.icts.nesinc.com; however, if you would like to purchase a study guide, please call 1 800 513 8606 or visit www.accuratepublishing.com.

BASIC SKILLS TEST ASSISTANCE

We have developed a full set of assistance media for help with this test. To get the most out of this, you need to register at least three months before you plan to take the test. Call us at 773-995-2215 or email TWRC@csu.edu to register for this assistance. After you register, we will put you into a learning site we pay for, available anywhere on the web (once you have been entered). We then email you the necessary information to use it, and we include a sample writing prompt for you to practice on. Unless you have taken the test before, we ask you to take all the pretest sections and send us the essay. If you have previously taken the test, all we need are your test scores to determine what you need.

After you have shown us what you can do, we will tell you what learning modules you should complete (on the same website) to increase your chances of passing. In addition, we tell you about other books, websites, or handouts you can use. Tutoring is available in all subjects. Register by calling the number above.

Also, before the test, you should plan to attend at least one set of workshops that we offer 2 to 3 weeks before each test date. The workshops are repeated each month there is a test date. Stop in ED 308B to learn the location of the workshop when you come. All services are free to current CSU students. Otherwise, only $75.

CONTENT AREA TEST ASSISTANCE
To review for your Illinois Content Area Test, you should consult the course schedule to see if there is an 092 course you can take, or call the office of the department in which your major is located. TWRC does not offer assistance for content area tests.

LIVETEXT ASSISTANCE
There are workshops and one-on-one tutorial for students to learn how to use Livetext and post their assignments so their instructors can grade them. To schedule assistance with Livetext, or to know more about this workshops, please call (773) 995 2097 or stop by ED200.

ORAL LANGUAGE SKILLS
If anyone has said that your language is “non-standard” because you speak a dialect other than Standard Published American English, you should borrow the book and tape set: Speak Standard, Too from us. Stop by ED 308B to sign out this important resource.

REMEDIATION
If you have been referred to the Teachers’ Writing & Resource Center for a remediation program, you must request a full hour’s appointment with the Director, Dr. Olive Gahungu, who will set goals with you and instruct you on your tasks. Call 773-995-2215, email TWRC@csu.edu, or stop in ED 308B to make this appointment. It will be, of course, free to current CSU students.

RESEARCH PAPER WORKSHOPS
A workshop for undergraduates in Basic Research Paper Writing is held each semester. This workshop also addresses the APA style. It is free for current CSU students; otherwise, it’s $20. Stop in ED 308B or call x2215 to receive this assistance. Watch for flyers announcing the workshops. They are hung in the hallway a week before the workshops.

Cougar Academy for Teachers (CATs):
Cougar Academy for Teachers (CATs): it’s a summer camp hosted by TWRC each summer. For five weeks, middle and high school students who might be interested in becoming teachers are engaged in exciting, hands-on, and enriching learning activities that integrate science, language arts, math, research skills, and other concepts. Call 1-773-995-2215 in April if you know a child who might be interested in this program.